The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1887-01-24
THE "comPRoMIsEp AGREEMENT.


terday, enters defense of the Compromise
made with the Democrats in the Legislature.
in which he says "the Republican members
have been severely denounced by the Journal
as to the true state of facts" If Colonel
Dresser will be kind enough to point out
word in the Journal severely 6enouncing'
Republican members of the Legislature,
we agree here and now to make public apology
and retraction. 'Denouncing' people is not
the habit of the Journal and no word or syl-
liable of such denunciation can be found in
our columns. The Journal condemned, in as
strong terms as it could com mand
with proper regard for the truth,
the agreement entered into between the men,
bers of the two parties, pointing out what it
conceived TO be the effect of the cartel, and
in what respects it traversed the position
hitherto assumed by the Republicans in the
Assembly, sustained with high dignity and
| force within the forms of the law, and unani-
throughout the State, and by many outside
the party organization. If this be ''denounc-
| ing" the members, the Journal is guilty; but
we have vet to learn that an honest disagree
| ment, howsoever forcibly expressed, if
| respectful in terms, is denunciation. The
Journal published the text of the
fu11.
it could not and did not 'smislead" anybody.
| 1t is not pleasant or creditable reflection that
Colonel Dresser makes upon the newspapers
aud membership of his party, when he init
mates that they have so little intelligence and
fail to think sufficiently for themselves as not
to be above being misled" by the Indanapo
lis Journal or by any other person or paper.
We have as good an opinion of the Journal,
probably, as anyone but we know very well
/ that the Journal could not 9mislead" the Re-
publican party Of Indiana, if it desired to do
so. There is no power so weak and con-
temptible as that Of the newspaper whom it at
tempts to 'mislead" The country has had
numerous exhibitions Of that. Unless news
paper is in harmony with the instinct and
thought of its party and OF the people,
it is as powerless as a babe.
That the Journal is in harmony with the
overwhelming thought and feeling of the Re-
publican party Of Indiana is sufficiently ndi-
Gated in this issue. The expressions come
from persons and from papers that cannot be
"misled,' but who are as intelligent and as
capable Of forming sound opinion as the
members of the General Assembly. AS a
matter Of fact, some of the strongest expires
sions are from members of the Legislature
themselves, who do not believe in the compro-
mise, and desire to announce their non-respon-
sibility for it to their constituents.
This, however, by the way. Colonel Ores
ser's card gives the real reason for the com
promise. He says:
'"The Democrats of the Senate had resolved
to 90 into the hall of the House of Repre-
sentatives in joint convention, and with thei,
entire force Of door-keepers and other EN-
ployes-all Of whom were selected with e
special view to their fitness for row."
In other words, the Democrats were read,
to fight for their illegal and revolutionary po
sition--as it had been declared by severa
votes of the solid Republican membership O.
both houses-and the Republicans were no
ready to fight for their constitutional and lega
: rights, or even to serve notice upon the revo
, lutionists that they were. Therefore, in Tia,
face of the army of door-k keepers and othe
. employees. headed by the ferocious Greer
Smith, the Republicans struck their colors
not only without blow, but withouta word
This was understood to be the reason at tn
time, and Senator Dresser properly and truth
fully states it. Representative Reynolds i
reported to have said the same thing will
more amplitude From various other source
come combinations The Sentinel said of it
s'The frnness of the Democratic Senat
q has brought about this result as many of tn
Republican Senators declined to be sacrificed
merely for the benefit of one man. These ant
the conservative element in the party com
PEELED the leaders to make the surrender o
r yesterday"
r All that the Journal mas said is, that il tn
r position the Republicans had assumed an,
0 been held; il it was wrong, then it should hav
Q been Compromised" in the interests of lar
9 and order. The Journal believed the Repub
0 licans were in the right, and within the limit
!. Of the Constitution and the laws, and there